Advocacy

EPA Issues Interim Guidance on Destruction and Disposal of PFAS

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released for public comment new interim guidance on destroying and disposing of PFAS and non-consumer product PFAS-containing materials. The solid waste industry is covered in the guidance both as a source of PFAS (landfill leachate, non-consumer waste) and as a potential method of destruction and disposal (landfills, municipal waste combustors). 

The agency is also providing guidance on testing and monitoring air, effluent, and soil for releases near potential destruction or disposal sites. It also outlines the significant information gaps associated with PFAS testing and monitoring and identifies specific research needs.

As further research and development occurs on this issue, EPA will incorporate this increased knowledge into future versions of this guidance to help decision-makers choose the most appropriate PFAS disposal options for their particular circumstances. EPA will review and revise the interim guidance, as appropriate, or at least once every 3 years.

SWANA’s Core Advocacy Group, including representatives from each Chapter and Technical Division, are reviewing the guidance and comments will be submitted to EPA. If you are interested in contributing to this effort, please contact your liaison.

Save Our Seas 2.0 Act Signed into Law

Major marine debris legislation was signed into law in December, providing potential funds for solid waste management in the United States. Save Our Seas 2.0 addresses marine debris management and prevention both domestically and internationally, including through support for solid waste management. The law will provide states with $55 million annually through 2025 to support improvements to local post-consumer materials management, including recycling programs. An additional $10 million is provided annually to local governments and non-profit organizations to support projects, such as anti-litter initiatives, enforcement of local materials management ordinances, and education and outreach, among other projects.

SWANA has been championing the passage of this bill to provide much-needed support to recycling infrastructure in the United States, both to prevent marine debris and to make upgrades necessary to keep recycling sustainable. SWANA will continue advocating to ensure that the funds for these grants are included in future appropriations bills to fulfill the intent of the legislation.

SWANA Responds to Proposed Plastics Management Plan

SWANA Canadian Chapters submitted joint comments on a national proposal to eliminate plastic pollution in Canada, including potentially banning or restricting certain single-use plastics. Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a discussion paper in October 2020 proposing an integrated management approach to plastics with an ultimate goal of achieving zero plastic waste.

Significant proposals are made in the paper, including:

• banning or restricting certain single-use plastics by as early as 2021
• establishing recycled-content requirements for plastic products and packaging
• developing consistent national targets, standards and regulations in concert with provincial and territorial governments to mandate extended producer responsibility (EPR) for plastic products

The SWANA BC & Yukon Chapter, Northern Lights Chapter, Ontario Chapter, Quebec Chapter, and Atlantic Canada Chapter were supportive of the proposed bans and restrictions, but also recommended requiring recycled content minimums, public procurement requirements, and incentives to eliminate or reduce plastic. The inclusion of compostable, bio-based, and biodegradable single-use plastic products was urged as well, since these products cannot be readily composted or recycled under current systems.

Additional issues that the Chapters highlighted were the need to consider any unintended consequences for alternatives to plastic that might be used, as well as ensuring that reduction and reuse are prioritized over recycling. Establishing performance standards to better regulate labeling and environmental claims on plastic products and their alternatives were also requested.

While supportive of the proposal to better harmonize EPR programs across provinces and territories, the Chapters urged that such actions do not disrupt systems that already work well. The federal government is best positioned to support provinces and territories by assisting with oversight, reducing potential administrative burdens, and improving transparency.

The SWANA Canadian Chapters will continue to engage on this issue as key stakeholders as the federal government continues to address single-use and problematic plastics nationally.

Basel Amendment Limiting International Plastic Trade Take Effect

With the start of 2021, an amendment to the Basel Convention requiring prior informed consent to trade in plastic scrap will go into effect. This change to the international agreement regulating shipments of hazardous and other waste is meant to increase oversight and reduce mismanagement of plastics intended for recycling.

The amendment is effective for 188 countries, including Canada. The United States is not a party to this agreement however, meaning that it faces further restrictions with trading partners. Signatories to the Basel Amendment are prevented from trading with non-signatories like the U.S. unless separate agreements are entered. As major trading partners in plastic scrap, the U.S. and Canada signed such an arrangement in fall 2020 allowing movement of the material to continue uninterrupted despite the new restrictions.

A similar proposal on the international trade of waste electrical and electronic equipment is being proposed by member countries of the Basel Agreement and will be considered in upcoming meetings in 2021 and 2022. As with the plastic scrap changes, SWANA is concerned that this would restrict trade without affecting improvements to human health and the environment. It would also further limit U.S. trade, due to the country’s lack of status within the Basel Convention.